Fetiche Nkissi
Bakongo · Democratic Republic of the Congo
Reference: MYA-6
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- Height
- 16 cm
- Material
- Wood, cauris, mirror, resin and magic charge.
Little fetish Nkissi belongs to the so-called Minkissi, destined for divination, the Nkissi destined for personal protection, are usually a larger statue. Both carry with a…
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Full original description
Little fetish Nkissi belongs to the so-called Minkissi, destined for divination, the Nkissi destined for personal protection, are usually a larger statue. Both carry with a cavity or abdominal excretion or in the head destined to receive the magic charge or bilongo usually closed by a cauri or a piece of mirror. The mirror indicates the passage to the other world and can steal the soul of the one who is reflected in it, but the Nganga can see reflected in the mirror the solution of the problem. Both minkissi may be used for therapeutic purposes. Nganga manufactures the bilongo and keeps the secret of its composition and will only acquire its strength when it activates it by the appropriate magic-religious formulas.This minkissi carries its magic burden closed by a colonial fashion, apparently from an Islamic country
Further technical information
- Attributed period
- Mid-century XX
Details transcribed from the original catalogue; they are not a recent physical inspection.
Country on the map
Democratic Republic of the Congo. The country associated with the catalog is shown, not the current location of the piece.
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Attributions, dates and accounts come from the preserved catalogue. They do not constitute certification of authenticity or provenance. An object’s presence on this website does not mean it is available for sale.
